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SOMM Recordings

Gershwin: An American in Paris, Piano Concerto in F Major, 3

$20.99

Details

Composer
GERSHWIN, GEORGE
Artist
Godowsky Iii, Serebrier
Format
CD
Label
SOMM Recordings
Released
Jan 04, 2019
Catalog #
ARIADNE 5003
UPC
748871500327

About

Somm Recordings closes the 120th anniversary year of George Gershwin's birth with the re-issue of the historic 1998 Centennial Edition recording initiated by the composer's sister, Frances Gershwin, together with first appearances of two orchestrations commissioned from José Serebrier. Originally released on Dinemec Classics, the Gershwin Centennial Edition features the composer's nephew and Frances' son, pianist Leopold Godowsky III, and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra conducted by José Serebrier. The recording followed a concert in London organized by the composer's formidable sister, Frances - 96 at the time - who invited Serebrier to conduct An American in Paris, the Concerto in F, and, in specially commissioned orchestrations by Serebrier, the Three Preludes and Lullaby. The programme shows Gershwin at his inimitable, era-defining best. Composed as an extended ballet sequence for the 1951 MGM musical starring Gene Kelly, An American in Paris is a buoyant, Technicolor-bright tribute to the French capital shot through with jazz-accented vitality. The Concerto in F is a bold, brassy, brilliantly orchestrated work with a grandstanding piano line bridging the worlds of classical music and jazz. It's animated opening movement is followed by a Blues-tinged Adagio and a finale boasting a helter-skelter orgy of rhythm and athletic pianism. Initially reluctant to orchestrate Lullaby, Serebrier says: "Now I am glad Leopold persuaded me. I have tried to keep the scoring as simple and pure as possible, so that the orchestral version of this poignantly lovely piece might take on a life of it's own in a voice that is still recognizably Gershwin's". The never before re-issued is a brilliant reminder of one of the most remarkable talents of the 20th century in performances by one of his greatest interpreters.

Tracklist 8 tracks

  1. 1 An American in Paris 18:45
    Track
    1
    Title
    An American in Paris
    Duration
    18:45
    Composer
    George Gershwin
    Ensemble
    Royal Scottish National Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier
  2. 2 No. 1 in B-Flat Major: Allegro ben ritmato e deciso 01:38
    Track
    2
    Title
    No. 1 in B-Flat Major: Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
    Duration
    01:38
    Composer
    George Gershwin
    Ensemble
    Royal Scottish National Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier
  3. 3 No. 2 in C-Sharp Minor: Andante con moto e poco rubato 03:37
    Track
    3
    Title
    No. 2 in C-Sharp Minor: Andante con moto e poco rubato
    Duration
    03:37
    Composer
    George Gershwin
    Ensemble
    Royal Scottish National Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier
  4. 4 No. 3 in E-Flat Minor: Allegro ben ritmato e deciso 01:20
    Track
    4
    Title
    No. 3 in E-Flat Minor: Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
    Duration
    01:20
    Composer
    George Gershwin
    Ensemble
    Royal Scottish National Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier
  5. 5 I. Allegro moderato - Cantabile - Poco meno scherzando 14:15
    Track
    5
    Title
    I. Allegro moderato - Cantabile - Poco meno scherzando
    Duration
    14:15
    Composer
    George Gershwin
    Performer
    Leopold Godowsky III
    Ensemble
    Royal Scottish National Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier
  6. 6 II. Andante con moto 12:42
    Track
    6
    Title
    II. Andante con moto
    Duration
    12:42
    Composer
    George Gershwin
    Performer
    Leopold Godowsky III
    Ensemble
    Royal Scottish National Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier
  7. 7 III. Allegro con brio 07:11
    Track
    7
    Title
    III. Allegro con brio
    Duration
    07:11
    Composer
    George Gershwin
    Performer
    Leopold Godowsky III
    Ensemble
    Royal Scottish National Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier
  8. 8 Lullaby (arr. J. Serebrier for orchestra) 07:47
    Track
    8
    Title
    Lullaby (arr. J. Serebrier for orchestra)
    Duration
    07:47
    Composer
    George Gershwin
    Ensemble
    Royal Scottish National Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier